On an unofficial
count, there are probably 400-500 sizable Buddhist temples in Metropolitan Bangkok
alone. While many of the foreign tourists may be more familiar with hot spots such
as Wat Phra Keao, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Traimit etc. There are actually many other
interesting locations equally possess strong Buddhist Interests but probably were
less publicized and there are less presence of tourists. Temples such as Wat Rakang,
Wat Borworniwet, Wat Intraviharn, Wat Paknam, Wat Prasat, Wat Suwannaram and Wat
Suthat etc. may not have the rich background, brilliance of architecture or indirect
association with previous reign of Thai Royalties but many of which are equally commanding
the same respect among the locals. Interesting enough, most temples usually have
a temple icon, either in the form of the main Buddha Image or via legendary Thai
Guru monks that took charge of the temple during their services as Abbot. We cannot
deny the fact votive amulets from these respective locations had its role help in
promoting their popularity among the Thai as well as extending its reach as far as
to many other countries in the far east.

When we mention Wat
Suthat Thep Wararam(or in short, Wat
Suthat),
we think of the huge and beautifully crafted Phra Sri Sakayamuni (or pronounced as
"Si-Sak-kaya-mu-nee" or Sisakayamunee) Buddha image in the
temple. To amulets collectors, Phra Kring from Wat Suthat has its magical appeal.
This temple is located at Bamrungmuang Road, centre of Bangkok Metropolitan where
sometimes locals called it as Krung Ratanakosin. It is actually not too far
away from other tourist hot spots such as the Grand Royal Palace, National Museum
etc. and within the few square kilometres, you can find the other temples of similar
scales or interest such as Wat Boworniweithviharn, Wat Thepthidaram, Wat Mahannopphram,
Wat Mahadhat, Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho), Wat Arun, Wat Rachapradit etc.

Wat Suthat was constructed in 1807 A.D. after the 27th anniversary of the founding
of Bangkok by King Rama 1, the ruler of Ratanakosin. Over the last two hundred years,
it has survived the test of time and overall, it is very well managed and maintained.
There are many structures and artifacts in this temples which have been renovated,
preserved, conserved and the sacred site is like acting as a centre for Buddhist
study and dissemination. Wat Suthat also has other names such as being referred as
Wat Maha Suthra Wad, Wat Suthat Thep Tharam, Wat Phra Toe or Phra Yai etc. A few
of these names were given by the previous Thai King as its strategic center location
in Bangkok resembles Suthat Sana Nakhon, a city located on the Mount Sumeru, the
center of the universe, where Indra is dwelling and the given names simple implicates
the temple is centered as the nucleus of all the good things for the Thai Kingdom
that the King wished to rebuilt the brilliance of Ayutthaya, former capital city
that capitulated and ruined by the invading of Burmese in 1767.

There is a very prominent structure that some termed it as a Swing, it was believed
to be constructed in 1784 that locates mid between the busy traffic at front of the
main entrance to Wat Suthat. The entire temple compound covering 45,000 square metres.
Within, it has many interesting architectural, sculptural, and visual highlights
reflective of original Thai Buddhism theme and philosophy.

This is NOT
an Official Site of Wat Suthat but rather, it serves as a visual journal and double
itself as an introduction to this lovely sacred site. The creator of this site has
no relationship or whatsoever with the Temple and/or its management. Wat Suthat has
an Official Website on their own and any information contain herein in correctness
of content should be referring to the content appeared in their OFFICIAL SITE.

Terms of Use:- Depending on individual expectation or usage, photos contained
herein may not be regarded as great pictures to some but they are personal visual
collection compiled over years on this specific subject. IF you want to use any of
the images contained herein for personal use, educational purposes and/or promotional
works for our country; by all means USE THEM ! Although a credit is welcomed, but
it is NOT entirely necessary. A link to Official Site of Wat Suthat (in Thai) is always encouraged
. But, If you intend to use and/or attempt to alter original form on any of the images
published in this site for commercial applications, just mail our editors at www.IMAGES.com.my or www.NATURE.com.my to clarify detailed terms of usage (there
are plenty other higher resolution images not published for private viewing). All
or part of the said fees from such possible sale collected will be donated to our
pet project:Khatulistiwa@Malaysia Project.

Credit: To all the good people
who have contributed their own experience, resources or those who are kind enough
in granting us the permission to use their images that appeared on this site. For
materials, I have used some scanned images of the winning entries compiled under
the "Dictionary of Buddha's Small Images" - which is my inspiration and
provides wealth of information to version history. Note: Certain content and images appeared on this
site were taken by using a Canon PowerShot Pro-1 digital camera. Some materials appeared
on this site were scanned from some leaflets, brochures or publications published
by Wat Suthat and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their work
for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for any
discrepancies that may arise from such dispute except rectifying.